Rolled the first Queen that I am aware of today :'(! Sure I have done more damage than I can ever imagine but that is the first one I have seen. Not a good feeling!!!
Gotta get a replacement now!
How many of you run 9 frames in brood chamber instead of 10. I understand it helps this kind of situation.
Quote from: sc-bee on May 23, 2009, 12:56:15 AM
Rolled the first Queen that I am aware of today :'(! Sure I have done more damage than I can ever imagine but that is the first one I have seen. Not a good feeling!!!
Gotta get a replacement now!
How many of you run 9 frames in brood chamber instead of 10. I understand it helps this kind of situation.
I think just the opposite, 9 frames makes it more likelyl because of the deeper combs in the storage area of the frames. Keeping the frames pushed together in the center of the hive and then using that extra space on each side between the hive body and the 1st frame to manipulate the frames works a lot better. And use smoke when the bees get too runny between the frames, it'll keep the queen on the center of the frames not the edges where she can get rollded.
Try running 9 frames with 1/2" follower boards. Center the 9 frames with follower boards tightly together in the center of the box (follower boards go to the outside of the frame pack). When working, press all to one side and remove the follower from the side with most space. Thereafter, remove each frame by pulling it into the space before raising. This will give plenty of room to remove frames without rolling the bees. It also gives you a "center" frame which bees seem to like better.
>And use smoke when the bees get too runny between the frames, it'll keep the queen on the center of the frames not the edges where she can get rollded.
I usually use smoke. This is one time when I didn't. Late entry and in a hurry. Definitely a mistake.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#framespacing